If you want your garden bursting with color by July, now is the time to plant fast-growing flowers that bloom quickly. These plants grow well in warm weather and often thrive with just basic care. Many are perfect for beds, borders, or containers, giving you plenty of choices. Whether you are working with full sun or partial shade, there is something here that can suit your space. Let’s look at some of the best flowers you can start now for summer beauty.
1. Zinnias
Zinnias are fast growers that love full sun and warm weather. They bloom in bright colors like red, orange, and pink. These flowers do best in well-drained soil and need little care once they are established. Zinnias can go from seed to bloom in about 6 weeks. They also attract butterflies and make great cut flowers. You can plant them directly in the ground or in pots. Just be sure to water them at the base to avoid mildew.
2. Celosia
Celosia is known for its bold, feathery blooms and heat-loving nature. It grows quickly in sunny spots and blooms in shades of red, yellow, and purple. This plant does well in dry conditions and adds texture to garden beds. Celosia thrives in well-draining soil and needs regular watering while young. Once mature, it handles heat and drought with ease. It is also popular in pollinator gardens.
3. Cosmos
Cosmos are easy-to-grow flowers that bloom quickly from seed. They do well in poor soil and full sun, making them great for low-maintenance gardens. These flowers have delicate petals and come in white, pink, and orange. They grow tall, so they’re best placed at the back of borders. Cosmos attract bees and butterflies. With regular deadheading, they bloom all summer long.
4. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are both beautiful and edible. Their bright blooms range from yellow to deep red. These flowers grow quickly in poor soil and need very little care. Nasturtiums do best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. They also help deter pests, making them a great companion plant. You can plant them in beds or let them trail from containers.
5. Sunflowers (dwarf varieties)
Dwarf sunflowers grow fast and bloom in about two months. They reach about 1 to 3 feet tall, perfect for small spaces or containers. These cheerful flowers need full sun and well-drained soil. Dwarf types bloom quicker than tall sunflowers. They are great for kids’ gardens and attract bees and birds. Water them deeply but not too often.
6. Calendula
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, has bright orange or yellow blooms. It grows quickly and starts blooming in just over a month. Calendula prefers cooler weather and does well in spring and early summer. It grows in full sun or light shade and needs well-drained soil. The petals are edible and can be used in salads. Calendula also helps repel pests.
7. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum forms low-growing mats of tiny, fragrant flowers. It blooms in white, pink, or purple and grows well in cool weather. This flower germinates quickly and blooms within a few weeks. It prefers full sun but can handle part shade. Sweet alyssum attracts pollinators and works well along borders or in containers. It needs regular water but can tolerate short dry spells.
8. Petunias
Petunias are popular for their long-lasting blooms and wide range of colors. They grow fast from transplants and bloom heavily in full sun. These flowers like rich, well-drained soil and regular watering. Pinch back stems to encourage more blooms. Petunias do well in both garden beds and hanging baskets. They also attract hummingbirds and bees.
9. Bachelor’s Buttons (Cornflowers)
Bachelor’s buttons bloom in shades of blue, pink, and white. They grow quickly from seed and prefer full sun and cool temperatures. These flowers are great for cutting and attract pollinators. Bachelor’s buttons do best in well-drained soil and don’t need much watering. They self-seed easily, returning year after year in many gardens. Deadheading helps them bloom longer.
10. Morning Glories
Morning glories are climbing vines with trumpet-shaped flowers. They bloom in blue, purple, pink, and white. These flowers sprout quickly in warm soil and bloom in about two months. Morning glories need full sun and support to climb. They do best in poor soil and dry conditions. Be careful though, as they can spread quickly and become invasive in some areas.
11. Cleome (Spider Flower)
Cleome is a tall annual that grows fast and produces striking, spidery flowers. It blooms in shades of pink, white, and purple. Cleome thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate drought once established and is often used in back borders due to its height. The plant is deer-resistant and attracts pollinators. Some varieties self-seed and return yearly in mild climates.
12. Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Tithonia grows quickly and produces vivid orange or red blooms. It prefers hot, sunny conditions and well-drained soil. This flower reaches up to 6 feet tall and works well as a backdrop in sunny borders. Tithonia attracts butterflies, especially monarchs. It blooms about 60 to 70 days after sowing. Deadheading helps extend the blooming period through summer.
13. Phlox (annual)
Annual phlox grows low to the ground and spreads with clusters of pink, white, or red flowers. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. This flower blooms within 6 to 8 weeks of planting. Phlox works well in borders, rock gardens, and containers. It also attracts bees and butterflies. Regular watering and removing spent blooms will keep it flowering longer.
14. Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis)
Four o’clocks are named for their late-day blooming habit. They open in the afternoon and stay open through the evening. The flowers come in a range of colors and often have a light fragrance. They grow quickly and tolerate poor soil. Four o’clocks thrive in full sun and need only moderate water. They can reseed themselves and return the following year.
15. Verbena (annual)
Annual verbena blooms quickly and thrives in sunny locations. It produces clusters of small flowers in colors like purple, pink, and white. Verbena is heat-tolerant and prefers dry, well-drained soil. It spreads well, making it a good choice for ground cover or containers. Blooming starts in about six weeks and continues through summer. Pruning faded blooms keeps the plant looking tidy.
16. Impatiens (for shaded areas)
Impatiens grow quickly in shady spots where many flowers struggle. They bloom in pink, red, white, and purple. These flowers like moist, rich soil and regular watering. Impatiens are best for containers or beds under trees and porches. They usually bloom within 60 days from planting. Keep them well-watered, especially during warm weather.
17. Dianthus (annual varieties)
Annual dianthus grows low and blooms with frilled petals in shades of pink, red, and white. It prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. These flowers bloom quickly from seed and often have a spicy scent. Dianthus does well in borders or containers. Deadheading helps extend bloom time. It needs regular water but should not be overwatered.
18. Salvia (quick-growing annual types)
Annual salvias grow fast and bloom in blue, red, or purple spikes. They love full sun and well-drained soil. These plants attract hummingbirds and bees. Salvia is drought-tolerant once mature. It blooms about 60 days after planting. Trimming back faded blooms encourages more flowers.
19. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia blooms in warm shades of red, orange, and yellow. It grows quickly and thrives in full sun. These flowers like dry, sandy soil and are very drought-tolerant. Gaillardia starts blooming about 60 to 70 days after sowing. It attracts pollinators and adds color to borders and wildflower gardens. Removing faded blooms keeps it looking fresh.
20. Godetia (Clarkia amoena)
Godetia produces rose-like blooms in pink, white, and coral shades. It grows well in cool weather and full sun. Godetia does best in well-drained, sandy soil. It germinates quickly and blooms within two months. These flowers are great for cutting gardens. Regular watering helps maintain steady blooming.
21. Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Nigella has feathery foliage and delicate blue or white flowers. It grows fast and is easy to care for. This flower prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Nigella germinates quickly and blooms in about 60 days. It is also known for its attractive seed pods. The plant self-seeds easily, coming back each year in many gardens.
22. Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)
Balsam grows upright and produces rose-like blooms in pink, purple, and white. It prefers partial shade and moist, rich soil. Balsam blooms quickly and can flower within 60 days of planting. These flowers are good for beds and borders in shaded spots. Keep the soil evenly moist to support strong growth. Balsam also reseeds itself easily.
23. California Poppies
California poppies are bright, low-maintenance flowers that thrive in dry soil. They bloom in orange, yellow, and cream shades. These flowers grow quickly and start blooming in about 55 days. They prefer full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. California poppies are drought-tolerant and attract pollinators. Letting them reseed will keep them coming back.
24. Coreopsis (annual)
Annual coreopsis grows fast and produces bright yellow or bi-colored flowers. It thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soil. This plant blooms about 60 days after sowing. Coreopsis is heat- and drought-tolerant, making it ideal for summer gardens. It attracts pollinators and works well in wildflower mixes. Deadheading helps it bloom even longer.
25. Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan, fast-blooming varieties)
Fast-growing varieties of rudbeckia bloom in bright yellow with dark centers. They grow quickly from seed and bloom in about two months. Rudbeckia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators. These flowers work well in borders and naturalized plantings. Some types may reseed and return yearly.
Bright Blooms Ahead
Choosing fast-growing flowers is a simple way to bring color to your garden in just a few weeks. From full-sun lovers to shade-friendly picks, there is something here for every spot in your yard. These flowers grow quickly, bloom beautifully, and often need little care once established. Whether you want to attract pollinators, brighten a porch, or fill a garden bed, each flower on this list can help. Start planting today and enjoy a colorful garden by July.